--- title: Netgate pfSense Reviews meta_title: 'Netgate pfSense Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 326 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Netgate pfSense works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.7 review_count: 326 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-11-06' parent_category: name: Network Security url: https://www.g2.com/categories/network-security ---

Netgate pfSense Reviews & Product Details

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Value at a Glance

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

1 month

Return on Investment

12 months

View More Pricing Information

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User Insights

Average based on 326 real user reviews.

Implementation Time

1 month

Perceived Cost

$$$$$

Netgate pfSense Integrations

(3)
Integration information sourced from real user reviews.

Netgate pfSense Reviews FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: Nov 04, 2026

What is Netgate pfSense, and what problem is it built to solve?

Netgate pfSense is firewall and router software from a technology company focused on network security and performance. It is built to address businesses’ and organizations’ need for secure, reliable networking.

What company sizes and industries is Netgate pfSense the best fit for?

Netgate pfSense shows its strongest fit among small businesses, with mid-market organizations also well represented. Its use spans several industries, with reviewer presence clustering around technology and education-related fields.
  • Company size — Small business: The most represented segment, including teams using it for business networks and client deployments.
  • Company size — Mid-market: Also well represented, including organizations using it across sites and network environments.
  • Industry — Technology and networking: Information technology and services, computer and network security, computer software, and computer networking appear prominently.
  • Industry — Education: Education management, higher education, and primary/secondary education are also represented.

How long does it take to implement Netgate pfSense across a team?

Implementation time varies with the setup, but getting to go-live in under a day is the most common reported experience. Other implementations take longer, especially when the configuration is more involved.
Time to go live Relative frequency
Under 1 day Most common
Under 1 month Also frequently reported
1–3 months Less common
3–6 months or over 12 months Occasionally reported

What customer support options does Netgate pfSense provide, and how do users find the overall support experience?

Support experiences are mixed: users describe knowledgeable, responsive help, while others find responses slow or the support process frustrating. The quality can depend on the issue and the support path involved; community resources and documentation are also part of how users find help.

What is the experience like for teams switching to Netgate pfSense from another tool?

Moving to Netgate pfSense from other firewall, router, and network-management products is often motivated by the need for more control and capability without the same licensing burden. Users describe gaining flexible configuration, broader features, and easier administration, though getting familiar with its approach can take some adjustment. Prior tools named include SonicWall, Cisco and Juniper products, Fortinet, and Ubiquiti systems.

What tools and platforms does Netgate pfSense integrate with, and how do these integrations help users get more value from the product?

Netgate pfSense offers 3 integrations. Users describe using integrations and connected services to extend network access and connect firewall management with other systems.
  • Cloud and developer tools: AWS Lambda
  • Firewall and security: Sophos Firewall
  • Networking and VPN: Tailscale
In practical use, these kinds of connections can complement network and VPN workflows, while reviewers also describe linking pfSense with identity services and cloud environments.

What features or capabilities could make Netgate pfSense even more useful?

Teams would benefit most from easier fleet management, more automation, and smoother administration for complex configurations. The recurring improvement requests include:
  • Centralized management: Manage and synchronize settings across multiple pfSense installations from one place.
  • API and automation support: Make deployments and routine configuration changes easier to automate.
  • Clearer administration and learning tools: Improve navigation, guidance, and explanations for settings and advanced features.
  • Smoother upgrades and recovery: Make updates more predictable and simplify backup, restore, and rollback workflows.

Is Netgate pfSense considered safe and secure for handling data?

Netgate pfSense is used to protect networks through firewall rules, segmentation, VPN access, and intrusion-detection or prevention tools. Users often value the control and visibility it provides, while also emphasizing that secure results depend on careful configuration; missing native multi-factor authentication for administrator access is a concern for some teams.

Netgate pfSense Reviews (326)

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Reviews

Netgate pfSense Reviews (326)

View 1 Video Reviews
4.7
326 reviews

What do users say?

Generated using AI from real user reviews

Pros & Cons

Generated from real user reviews
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Mohammed M.
MM
Mohammed M.
Information Technology Department Manager
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Using pfsense for more then 10 years"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

Open source, stable, has everything you need or may need Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

Not being used lot by business also no image for raspberry pi Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Esther Cheng of Netgate pfSense
Edit edit

We're thrilled to hear that you've been using pfSense for over 10 years and that you find it open source, stable, and feature-rich.

Michal M.
MM
Michal M.
Principal Engineer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Great alternative to edge firewalls / routers"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

pfSense has great documentation and even better support. Even TAC Lite users get to enjoy pretty much immediate professional support with staff based in Texas!

Setup is quite simple. Very sensible defaults out of the box. Uptime is pretty much determined by the frequency of updates. It's rock stable and solid! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

Prices of their lower end appliances perhaps. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Esther Cheng of Netgate pfSense
Edit edit

Thank you for your positive feedback! We're glad to hear that you find our documentation and support to be valuable. We understand that pricing is an important consideration and we are always looking for ways to provide the best value for our customers. We appreciate your support and trust in Netgate pfSense!

RP
Rances P.
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excellent"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

Interconnect branches with VPN, with external service providers and employees. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

Difficulty in routing OpenVPN through an IPsec connection. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Esther Cheng of Netgate pfSense
Edit edit

Thank you for your support and feedback!

Verified User in Primary/Secondary Education
AP
Verified User in Primary/Secondary Education
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Netgate user review"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

Someone that can help support the product when time is of the essence. Once we received our product, it was of high quality with high quality support. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

Their support is a bit clunky, and the ordering process was opaque. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Esther Cheng of Netgate pfSense
Edit edit

We are glad to hear that you found our product to be of high quality with high quality support. We are constantly working to improve our support process to make it more efficient and user-friendly.

GR
Guillaume R.
Responsable des applications
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"A versatile, professional firewall"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

Easy to configure & versatile community Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

Lack of video tutorials on the various modules

No native CrowdSec module Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Esther Cheng of Netgate pfSense
Edit edit

We appreciate your positive feedback on the ease of configuration and versatility of Netgate pfSense. We understand the need for more video tutorials on the modules and will take this into consideration for future improvements. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Bas S.
BS
Bas S.
Founder
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Great devices"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

Netgate's pfsense devices are robust being based on FreeBSD. And if for some reason something goes wrong you have a rapid netgate support department to help turn things to the better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

I don't see any major downsides. If one, I liked the metal casings of their smaller models better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Jack A.
JA
Jack A.
Chief Technology Officer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"The only firewall appliance I use since 2010"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

Easily configure complex network scenarios Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

PPoE support is not good for low-end hardware and fiber configurations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AR
Andrei R.
Consultant
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Originally submitted 10/28/2022
"Reviewing my experience with PFSense and Netgate"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

The features of the product, the ability to use add-on packages. The flexibility that PFSense offers compared to other products. Netgate appliances Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

The documentation for some features is not really the best. Slow updates on some packages. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Government Administration
AG
Verified User in Government Administration
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Nice features, ease of use, good updates"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

They are committed to the project, and software is quite stable and efficient. Ease of use, number of features, ease of implementation and ease of integration are key points Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

They dropped the free home/lab version support... Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Response from Esther Cheng of Netgate pfSense
Edit edit

We're glad to hear that you appreciate the commitment to the project and the stability and efficiency of our software. We understand your disappointment with the free home/lab version support, and we are constantly evaluating our offerings to provide the best value to our users.

Verified User in Computer Networking
AC
Verified User in Computer Networking
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Versatile Software & Reliable Support"
5/5
What do you like best about Netgate pfSense?

pfSense is incredibly stable & reliable. I enjoy the monitoring capabilities the most as a network engineer at a home automation & networking company. They are great for disputing service issues with ISPs.

If there are to be issues, support is quick to respond & give you a helping hand. We've had most of our issues resolved within a few emails. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Netgate pfSense?

Honestly, I do not see many downsides to using pfSense. If you are exploring pfSense, you are likely a network admin/engineer or a more advanced end user. So while I would not call pfSense beginner-friendly, I would imagine that is obvious. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Questions about Netgate pfSense? Ask real users or explore answers from the community

Get practical answers, real workflows, and honest pros and cons from the G2 community or share your insights.

Carlos Vinicius L.
CL
Carlos Vinicius Lemos Meirelles
•
Last activity about 4 years ago

OpenVpn best report's?

1 Upvote
1
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GU
Guest User
•
Last activity about 3 years ago

What is pfSense used for?

0 Upvotes
7
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Pricing Insights

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

1 month

Return on Investment

12 months

Average Discount

7%

View More Pricing Information
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Netgate pfSense Features
Multiple Concurrent Connections
Protocol Choices
Unlimited Bandwidth
Open Source Code
Policy Management
Logging and Reporting
Application Gateway
Load Balancing
Continuous Analysis
Intrusion Prevention
Categories on G2
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